The King's Baton Relay made a stop at the University of Stirling on Monday, drawing more than 150 attendees including students, staff, families, and local community members. The event celebrated Scotland's upcoming summer sporting highlight, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which begin in just over two weeks.
Royalty and Medallists Lead the Celebration
Dame Louise Martin, former President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and an honorary graduate of Stirling, led the relay on campus alongside Ross Murdoch, a former swim scholar at the university and a six-time Commonwealth Games medallist. The pair were greeted by Eileen Schofield, Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, and Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport at the University. Also present were Jon Doig, Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Games Scotland, and Harry Sawdon, University of Stirling Sports Union President.
Ross Murdoch, who trained at the university for a decade and competed in two Olympics and three Commonwealth Games, said: “I am incredibly honoured to be asked to be involved in the King’s Baton Relay here at the University of Stirling, a place that holds a special place in my heart. There’s a feeling of great excitement here on campus, with a record number of University of Stirling athletes competing at the Games this summer, and it’s fantastic to see students, staff and the wider Stirling community, including young children – our next generation of sports stars – coming out in support. I wish all the athletes all the best as they embark on an exciting couple of weeks in Glasgow.”
Record Number of Stirling Athletes at Glasgow 2026
The university, known as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, will send a record 22 athletes representing six different countries to the Games. This marks the highest number of competitors from Stirling at a single Commonwealth Games. The baton visit came just days after its launch in Glasgow, where Stirling swimmer Duncan Scott OBE – Scotland's most decorated Olympian – took the baton on a trip down the River Clyde.
Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have welcomed the King’s Baton Relay to Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence this week. It was super to see such a brilliant turnout, with students, staff and members of the local community coming together in a fantastic celebration of sport. The Baton Relay visiting campus is a huge moment for the University and kick starts a super summer of sport, as 22 of our athletes prepare to compete on the international stage. We wish them the very best of luck as the Games get under way.”
Baton Design and Relay Reimagined
The King's Baton Relay originally launched at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 10, 2025. For the first time, every Commonwealth nation and territory received its own baton for local celebrations. All 74 batons will be reunited at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026, where the Scotland Baton will be presented to His Majesty The King, and a message enclosed inside will be read aloud to declare the Games open.
The Scottish Baton was designed by Glasgow-based artist Annie Graham, who carved an image of scenic Scotland into the wooden baton. It carries the word 'gather', symbolising community, connection, and celebration. From now until July 23, the baton will attend over 50 events and festivals across Scotland to celebrate Team Scotland, Scottish sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture, and the Games. This year, the relay has been reimagined to pop up at key events daily rather than continuously travelling through the streets.
